Trainer Simon Miller gives push to roughie in Placid Ark Stakes at Ascot on Saturday

Champion Perth trainer says a blowout result from one of his three gallopers can’t be ruled out in Saturday’s Listed Placid Ark Stakes at Ascot.

Champion Perth trainer Simon Miller has given a push for a longshot in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes, insisting his three-year-old gelding Horcrux was stuck “in the slow lane” when racing last Saturday.

Horcrux will be deployed on the seven-day back-up after finishing sixth and being beaten almost four lengths in the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m) at Ascot last Saturday.

Horcrux, who stormed onto the racing scene with a slashing win on debut at Belmont in July, led and faded last Saturday as star three-year-old colt September Born swooped and won.

However Miller said the run of Horcrux was better than it looked and he would be suited dropping back to 1200m on Saturday rather than the initial plan of stepping up to the 1600m of the Group 2 WA Guineas the following Saturday.

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Some corporate bookmakers are offering $34 for Horcrux to bounce back with a win on the back-up on Saturday.

“Horcrux may have only looked fair the other day, but he was in the slow lane as the fence was no good,” Miller said.

“For some reason, that (Ascot) track has been playing elite all year, but when the rail goes into the true position, you’ve just got to be nowhere near the rail.

“It was actually a total forgive run.

“This is a nice race on Saturday with some handy horses in it, but has drawn a good gate and is forward enough, he can give it a shake.”

Elite WA trainer Simon Miller. Picture: Getty Images.

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Miller also felt this was Horcrux’s time to strike, with many of the superior three-year-olds in the west heading to the Guineas the following Saturday.

That was the original option for Horcrux but Miller reconsidered after last Saturday.

“I had him on a Guineas campaign but when I look at it, his 1200m form is good,” Miller said.

“Also, why do you risk going to a mile off that type of run that he had last week?

“Or do you just play the percentages and come back in trip?

“So that’s why we are racing on Saturday.”

Born again …

A winner on debut in June and resuming with a neck 2nd in the Listed Belgravia a fortnight ago, September Born has proven to be a worthy favourite by capturing the Listed @Seacorp Fairetha Stakes over 1400m at Ascot.

September Born becomes the 21st stakes winner… pic.twitter.com/uCdBHlE4MM

— Aushorse (@Aushorse_TBA) November 9, 2024

Horcrux, owned by the Ladbrokes Racing Club, is one of three Miller runners in the Placid Ark Stakes.

He also has roughie Golden Vale ($34) and filly Madhi Girl ($10).

“Madhi Girl goes good but she needs a few things to go her way,” Miller said.

“She has been racing well and she is a chance but needs all the right things to go her way in running.

“She has got a really good turn of foot, but it’s only short and sharp.”

Saturday’s Ascot card marks the kick-off point of The Pinnacles, WA’s premier racing carnival which will feature three Group 1 events in coming weeks and racing with more than $10.5 million in prize money up for grabs.

The first of the Group 1s, the Railway Stakes over 1600m to be staged on November 23, has Ciaron Maher’s last start Flemington winner Light Infantry Man as the $5 early favourite.

Originally published as Trainer Simon Miller gives push to roughie in Placid Ark Stakes at Ascot on Saturday